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Bring it on Rangers Fans! New York This! |
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If you follow it closely enough and have a natural feel for it, it's easy to be right most of the time in hockey. It's not rocket science. But wrong happens anyway, it’s why prognostication is a perilous business for all of us. And when you're wrong, you gotta fess up. The New York Rangers are a playoff team, despite my claims in October that they likely weren’t. At this point with a couple dozen games left, I must concede their postseason existence.
When NHL Live sidekick Stan Fischler guaranteed the NYR would make the playoffs two years ago and didn't, I teased him. I was right, he was wrong. Maven, grab me the fresh crow and a fork. (any wine go with blackbird?) It’s time to break it down for NYR fans, comparing October thoughts to reality.
What I said then and how it has shaken out:
1) Adding Brad Richards didn’t guarantee anything with Gaborik and there were still some questions about strength down the middle.
True. That magic combo didn’t really come to fruition as the go-to pair, which is no surprise with Tortorella’s propensity to juggle. And for that same reason, even with continued team success, there’s no reason to believe that pairing couldn’t appear at some point. Anything for a win when a chemistry change is needed. Also, Richards true value has not been as a scorer this season (at his typical rate), it’s been as a leader, a teacher, and as a guy fully committed to the systems. (See the 5 C’s below)
2) Same area: “Strength down the middle” in Manhattan is tenuous at best. While shattering his previous single-season career high of four, Brian Boyle banged in 21 goals last season. Anyone suggesting this phenomenon happens again? Repeat after first President Bush: “Not-gunna-do-it; wouldn’t-be-prudent.”
True. Boyle has five goals and ten assists. But like with Richards – on a team that’s truly a team, point totals haven’t mattered.
3) I questioned Stepan potentially having a sophomore jynx and MDZ not recovering from one.
Wrong. Stepan continues to be a balanced, hard working, and creative player with great character. The Del Zotto questions were legitimate. What can I say – he’s answered them. He’s bounced back in a big, big way and it’s impressive. Congratulations to him, and congratulations to Richards for helping him through it.
4) Then: Even if fully effective for his age (21), Del Zotto rejoins one of the youngest and most inexperienced D corps in the NHL. Bryan McCabe came and went. Young Matt Gilroy’s touted career went south, literally. Number one defenseman Marc Staal is hurt. While more than pleasant surprise out-of-nowhere Michael Sauer is a 24-year-old entering his dreaded second season. Sixth or seventh D-man Steve Eminger is clearly the greybeard here, turning 28 on Halloween.
Young Ryan McDonagh looks very good. Younger Tim Erixon looks good. All this potential is just that: Potential.
Wrong: The observations were accurate, if not obvious at the time based on age and experience, but the D-corp has overcome them. McDonagh is solid. Girardi is as valuable a defenseman as there is in the League. MDZ we talked about, Stralman was a nice pick-up who fit in. Staal when healthy is Staal and Eminger. This is a very talented young group of D-men, more talented than I gave them credit for, and more importantly, this is more about their discipline, team play, and self-sacrifice.
5) What I also said in October: The Rangers have three important things running in their favor. 1) Goaltending. 2) Work ethic. 3) Team identity (related to work ethic) and buy-in.
Let’s face it kids, number-5 overcomes all of the issues and questions raised in 1 through 4 at the beginning of the season. This is what makes hockey the greatest team sport, especially in this day and age, when all over the place on fields and courts, there are boatloads of “I” in “team”.
(I just pray, despite the $$ and signs that the prima donna phenomenon is creeping in a little more here and there, that hockey keeps its rooted attitude for as long as humanly possible)
The Rangers have the multiple C’s: chemistry, commitment, character, the ensuing confidence that comes with the aforementioned clicking, and of course coaching.
The Rangers are responsible in three zones and if they're not, they don't play. They outnumber you in their D zone by overloading with support. While two men battle for a puck in the corner, a third plants himself between the puck and the net. They attack the points. They keep their feet moving. They have stick in lanes in the neutral zone. They block shots, they do things right, and they do it for each other.
Offensively they’re opportunistic. They cycle. They wear you down. They can snipe off the rush at big moments. As for special teams, the Bruins overcame a lousy PP in the postseason last year, which means there’s no reason the Blueshirts can’t do it as well.
Oh, and did I mention goaltending? "They should change the name of the game to Goalie". The King will be a Vezina finalist and should be a Hart finalist for MVP as well. Anyone remember early season, when Henrik saved the Rangers bacon on more than one occasion. And saving bacon early in the campaign is urgently important: Getting wins helps the coaches deliver their message and helps the team to buy in, regardless of how the wins come about. Confidence. Lundqvist brought it. Now they’re all bringing it.
follow Simmer @simmerpuck
ps: btw, humorous how constructive hockey analysis becomes “hate” for something, as a few Rangers fans have professed along the way. (Hate is something I try to leave out of my mindset in any case.) Not only do I not hate New York, I love it. I’m a former resident and its one of my favorite places, of many, on the planet. I also enjoyed my brief time with MSG and have many, many friends associated with, and within the organization. I know they’re all enjoying a long overdue resurgence.
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